And how chiropractic care can help

The wrist may be a small area of the body, but with such complex movements at this joint, structurally there is quite a lot happening.

Did you know your wrist and hand together comprise of 27 bones!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR WRIST

Your wrist is made up of eight pebble-like bones called carpals.

These articulate with the radius bone, one of the bones of your forearm. On the far end of your wrist, the carpal bones articulate with the five long bones called the metacarpals that make up the palm of your hand. Amongst all these bones, there is a plethora of ligaments that connect the bones in a way which allows intricate movements like adduction, abduction, flexion and extension.

WHERE IS YOUR CARPAL TUNNEL

The carpal tunnel is a deep space located in your wrist, boarded by carpal bones and a strong ligament called the transverse carpal ligament on the palm side of your wrist.

The median nerve travels through this tunnel along with nine flexor tendons and several blood vessels making it a relatively tight squeeze.

Irritation or swelling at the carpal tunnel from repetitive movements or other joint conditions such as arthritis, can cause compression of the median nerve, which in turn may lead to symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling of the hand, which we commonly referred to as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

There are also two other nerves that run through the wrist outside the carpal tunnel to the hand. These are the ulnar nerve, which innervates the pinky finger side of the hand and the radial nerve, which innervates the thumb side of the hand. If any of the nerves are malfunctioning, they can cause a number of neuropathies and conditions of the hand. Further injuries of the wrist include tendinitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fractures.

HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP

Treatment options depend on the severity of the symptoms and non-surgical treatment is usually recommended if your symptoms are mild to moderate.

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive and natural approach to helping individuals suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when the tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that becomes compressed, leading to pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and wrist. While the exact cause of carpal tunnel syndrome may vary, it is often related to repetitive movements or poor spinal alignment. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct misalignments in the spine that may be contributing to the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

One way that chiropractic care can help alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome is by performing chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment in the spine.

These adjustments can help reduce the compress on the nerves that pass through the wrist, providing relief from carpal tunnel symptoms. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, a chiropractor may recommend stretching exercises, ergonomic changes, or other lifestyle modifications to help manage carpal tunnel syndrome.

VISIT US

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome with chiropractic care may offer a safe and effective alternative to more invasive treatments such as surgery or medication.

By addressing the underlying spinal misalignments that may be contributing to carpal tunnel symptoms, chiropractic treatment can help improve nerve function and reduce inflammation in the wrist. Many individuals report significant relief from carpal tunnel syndrome after receiving chiropractic care.

As a registered healthcare professional, providing patient care is your chiropractor’s primary objective.

They will advise on treatment options within the scope of chiropractic care and encourage you to seek information on other treatments available before making a final decision. 

If you’re looking for relief from your carpal tunnel pain, consider booking an appointment with us, Centenary Chiropractic Centre, your local chiropractor for Camira and surrounding areas. Give us a call on 07 3381 0440 or book online here: www.centenarychiro.com.au